All change! Multi-million-pound transport upgrade unveiled

A major infrastructure upgrade in Plymouth has been completed to improve reliability along one of the city’s busiest public transport corridors.

Morgan Sindall Construction has officially handed over the £4.6 million Royal Parade Improvement Scheme to Plymouth City Council following the completion of works at the key city centre interchange.

Delivered through the SCAPE Construction Framework, the project forms part of a wider programme aimed at creating a greener, safer and more accessible city centre. 

Royal Parade handles more than 100 bus services each hour and supports over nine million passenger journeys annually, making it a vital part of Plymouth’s transport network.

The scheme increases the number of bus stops from 12 to 15 through a new shallow sawtooth layout designed to reduce congestion and remove the need for buses to reverse. 

Fifteen upgraded shelters have also been installed, improving seating and accessibility, with green roofs due to be cultivated later this year.

Councillor John Stephens, Plymouth City Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: “This is a hugely important project for Plymouth as it’s designed to make going by bus a more attractive option and we hope that people will begin to feel the benefits of this scheme straight away. 

“Royal Parade certainly looks a lot better already. 

“There are fewer buses stacked one behind the other and there are more and bigger shelters for people waiting to catch the bus. 

“We worked with the bus operators to reallocate some services at different stops to improve reliability.  

“There have been some challenges on the way – mainly the relentless rain which dogged the resurfacing work – but we got there and a month ahead of schedule.” 

Engineering works addressed long-standing structural issues beneath the carriageway, where deteriorating concrete slabs had caused cracking and movement. 

Full-depth reconstruction was carried out during overnight closures alongside resurfacing, paving upgrades and new road markings.

Further improvements include modular granite paving, a redesigned toucan crossing at Armada Way to improve cycling and pedestrian access, and a new average speed camera system to support safer traffic flow. 

Graham Kingdon, area director for Morgan Sindall in the South West, added: “We’re just unbelievably proud to hand over the Royal Parade Improvement Scheme to Plymouth City Council. 

“This project has required thorough planning and close collaboration with the council to deliver improvements that will serve the city for many, many years to come.” 

“By using our expertise to strengthen the underlying infrastructure and enhance the layout and facilities, we’ve created a more reliable, accessible, and future-proof transport hub for Plymouth. 

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work in partnership with the council to deliver such an important project for the city.” 

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